After a year hiatus, Nic @ Nite will return to Manning for one night only, said Seacoast Church Pastor Jim Fleming.
It will be the 11th time the church has held the event, which features messy fun combined with a clean message.
“The message is that God loves them and Jesus is the best friend you could ever have,” said Fleming in 2014.
This year’s event will be held 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at Manning High School, with registration starting at 5:45 p.m. All children from kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to attend.
“If children from older grades want to participate, we would never turn them away,” Fleming said. “Even our adults who serve as team leaders get into the fun.”
Children are split into teams, led by several adults, and separated by brightly colored Nic @ Nite T-shirts. Teams participate in games that lead to them getting drenched in both food products and water.
“The Clarendon County and Manning first departments have always been great with the water,” said Fleming, noting the agencies’ pushing water from their engines over the crowds during game time.
The event begins with a message inside the school’s gymnasium. That message also incorporates several games. Fleming also leads a portion outside that includes him smashing watermelons and other food items.
He and his wife, Paula, got the idea from a church in Myrtle Beach, one they were affiliated with more than a decade ago. This would be the 12th annual event, but none was held in 2016.
“Nic @ Nite is packed with silly games, fun music and a time to learn more about what life is all about,” said Fleming. “Activities are free. Don’t be late. Prepare to get really wet.”
For more information, call (803) 505-3208.